Rice Design Alliance Civic Forum: Obsolescence
1001 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
USA
Rice Design Alliance’s Civic Forum 2019 is taking on the urgent topic of urban obsolescence and the importance of maintaining, preserving, and reusing the historic fabric of our cities. At a critical moment in Houston’s urban growth, what is the value of architecture in our city and our region and why should we care about preserving Houston’s identity through its urban past? While some might argue that doing away with the past can be a sound business solution, is that really the case and does nostalgia really have anything to do with it?
Through the analysis of some of Houston’s most relevant examples, Obsolescence will discuss the overarching factors that influence how we deal with change in the built environment – from regulations and tax policy, to cultural and political attitudes – all in an era in which preservation strategies are also acutely threatened by the environmental challenges of climate change.